08 September 2009
Media Statement
Department of Environmental Affairs
TUESDAY, 08 SEPTEMBER
2009: A meeting of the Minister of Water
and Environmental Affairs, Ms Buyelwa Sonjica,
Deputy Minister Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi and
MECs responsible for environment portfolios
in provinces has called for integrated anti
poaching efforts to halt the growing number
of rhinoceros being killed by poachers.
The two-day meeting
held in Kwa-Zulu Natal gave its support
to efforts by various conservation authorities
to stop poachers in their tracks. The Minister
and the MECs expressed their political support
to provincial authorities, but also called
for an integrated anti-rhino poaching strategy
incorporating all rhino range provinces
and the Department of Environmental Affairs.
Since January this year
a total of 84 rhinos have been killed. The
figures are as follows:
Kruger National Park
: 33
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife : 19
Gauteng : 3
North West : 5
Limpopo : 7
Eastern Cape : 1
Mpumalanga : 16
South African National
Parks (SANParks) will lead an inter-provincial
agencies’ team which will be aimed at co-ordinating
efforts by all the affected parties. The
Department of Environmental Affairs has
established a multi-party national biodiversity
investigators’ forum as a platform for discussion
and the sharing of information on biodiversity
related law enforcement issues, including
rhino poaching. Since the beginning of the
year a total of 22 poachers, mostly foreign
nationals, have so far been arrested by
both the SANParks and the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
joint operations
The Department intends
to strengthen its national biodiversity
enforcement capacity and will among other
things formally strengthen coordination
on biodiversity enforcement issues on a
national basis. This will include the establishment
of a Special Investigations Unit to deal
with high profile and organized environmental
conservation crime. This will enhance compliance
with the applicable national environmental
legislation.
Note: The Ministry of
Water and Environmental Affairs comprises
two separate departments. The departments
are: the Department of Environmental Affairs
and the Department of Water Affairs.
Albi Modise (Spokesperson)
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Environmental protection
a priority for Authorities and Salvors
08 September 2009
Media Statement
Department of Environmental Affairs
TUESDAY, 08 SEPTEMBER 2009: The South African
Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has instructed
salvors to prioritise the removal of fuel
from the bulk carrier ‘Seli 1’, which ran
aground shortly before midnight on Monday
7th September 2009 at Blouberg, Cape Town.
At first light this
morning, a salvage team from SMIT Salvage
was landed on the casualty and commenced
with an assessment of the vessel. Sea conditions
are severe and the casualty is being subjected
to waves that at times are over washing
it. As such, safety of life is a priority.
The vessel’s Master, Officers and Crew were
evacuated from the casualty by the National
Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) this morning.
The removal of the casualty’s
fuel is a proactive measure to ensure that
risk to the environment from oil pollution
is reduced and all relevant authorities
have activated contingency plans so as to
minimise impact should there be a spill.
The Department of Environmental Affairs
pollution patrol aircraft Kuswag 9 overflew
the casualty this morning and reported no
oil visible in the water in the vicinity
of the ‘Seli 1’.
Salvors report that
the vessel’s structural integrity is such
that any attempts to refloat her may worsen
her condition. The engine room is flooded
and tidal, indicating that structural damage
was sustained during the grounding and that
this space is open to the sea. Additional
salvage personnel and equipment will be
flown out to the vessel in an attempt to
stabilise her condition and in preparation
for the fuel removal operation, for which
a plan is currently being finalised. The
removal of fuel is contingent on suitable
weather and sea conditions and will commence
only once weather conditions have improved.
The standby salvage tug ‘SMIT Amandla’ remains
in the vicinity.
Members of the public
are kindly requested to limit their sightseeing
activities to non-demarcated areas and to
be cognisant of the fact that the dunes
adjacent to the beach are environmentally
sensitive. Relevant authorities will be
on hand to assist in this regard and have
demarcated viewing areas.
The ‘Seli 1’ was en
route to Gibraltar and has 30 000 tonnes
of coal onboard. She is carrying approximately
660 tonnes of fuel and is 29 years old;
built in 1980 in South Korea.
The operation is being
managed by a Joint Operations Committee
involving all responsible parties. The committee
is chaired by Captain Dave Colly of the
South African Maritime Safety Authority
and includes representatives from SAMSA,
Department of Environmental Affairs, SMIT
Salvage, SANCCOB, City of Cape Town – Disaster
Management, Transnet National Ports Authority,
amongst others.
For further information kindly contact:
Capt Dave Colly (South African Maritime
Safety Authority)
